CBD and THC are both in marijuana so what’s the difference?

Did you know the cannabis plant can produce more than 400 different chemical constituents? Many of these chemical entities have very positive impacts on your health. Two of the most popular and widely discussed chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC).

CBD and THC, chemically speaking, are not wildly different. But, there is one main and very important difference: THC has psychoactive effects, it’s the main compound in marijuana, and it’s the one responsible for making you feel high and euphoric. CBD on the other hand, like Learn Green Flower put it, provides therapeutic benefits while promoting a sense of calmness and ease without distorting cognition or causing you to feel out of the ordinary. CBD and THC are very different in how they interact in our bodies and as a result, how our bodies respond. Here’s how.

Your body is naturally full of different cannabinoid receptors and molecules that connect with these receptors called endocannabinoids. Together these make up our endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a neurotransmitter network that helps the body and brain communicate with each other playing vital roles in functions like immune response, pain perception, pleasure, mood, sleep/wake cycle, metabolism, reproduction and more.

In order to work and alter your senses, THC needs to attach specifically to your cannabinoid 1 receptors, or CB1, which are primarily found in the brain and spinal cord. Makes sense that THC can make you feel all head-y. CBD simply can’t bind itself to that particular receptor, instead engaging the receptor by communicating with what is known as the allosteric site on that CB1 receptor protein. CBD while not producingdirect effects on its own, alters how other compounds engage with this receptor, ultimately acting as a modulator to influence the body’s response. We know it’s getting technical so if you’re interested in reading more about this Click Here.

Researchers point out that when you ingest both CBD and THC together, CBD works to mute some of the negative effects of THC. Classified as anagonist THC activates the CB1 receptors, which confuse it with the bliss molecule, the naturally produced anandamide. On the other hand, CBD is classified as an antagonist, specifically of CB1 agonists. This means it doesn’t interact with the CB1 receptors to activate or deactivate them, it just suppresses the CB1-like qualities of a cannabinoid like THC. When THC is consumed on its own, common side effects include euphoria, relaxation, anxiety, as well as short-termmemory impairment. When THC is consumed along with CBD, anxiety and memory impairment is greatly decreased.

Politically these differences have had powerful ramifications. Many states are starting to create CBD only laws in efforts to allow its medicinal uses, but still prohibiting the use of the psychoactive plant. However, experts in the field are starting to point out that in some medical cases, CBD and THC work better together than CBD on its own; when they are present in equal ratios.

We at AdvoCANNA believe that cannabis represents a natural and untapped potential for healing and regenerating our bodies and minds. Even though none of our products contain THC, we are strong advocates for the legalization of one of nature’s most powerful remedies. In fact, stronger regulation would ensure that the proper levels of THC and CBD are present in every product, reducing the risk of the negative effects of THC for those looking to reap therapeutic effects without alteringcognition.

All of our AdvoCANNA products have CBD, which is proven to reduce signs of aging, combat acne, and treat a number of skin conditions. You can read about all the benefits of CBD on skin here.